The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1887-03-03
WHiTE-FACED CICELY.
How She Brought Her Master
Near the Gallows.


In the waning light of a September even
ing. about the middle of the last century,
there might have been seen traversing at a
foo;'s pace the broad stretch of common
land known to the natives of shire, far
and wide. as ''Hangman's Heath" stall
wart, rleasantlooking gentleman Of appar-
emily that age when a man IS supposed to
be in his prime. mounted on an exceedingly
wcl-brcd bay mare, possessing two white
heels. and probably the whitest face ever
bchnld on one of the equine race. II was
~ ordinary blaze of white this, such as is
constantly seen on a horses visage, coming
down the center and tapering off to point
as Il reaches the nose, but, beginning at the
forehead, which it covered completely, it
widcacd as it got beneath the eye, and
reaching to where the cheek-bonc projects
on either side. came strai iyht down and right
across the whole face, looking for all the
world as if some one had taken a huge
brushful Of whitewash, brought it down
with one deft sweep and there left it.
Altogether, Major George Brabazon's
eood-looking mare, owing to the extraordi-
nary mark just described, ouce seen was
not easily forgotten, though in justice it
must be said that her perfect make and
attract the attention at any time of any one
verscd in horscfCsh
Gccrge Brabazon. Notwithstanding his
forty odd years and his game leg, was still
IA very gooa-looEing fellow; a trfle stout
certainly, the natural consequence of liv-
ing an easy and contcntcd life after the
knocltings about and hardstips he had uii-
dcrsune during his military career. but
stiH very prcsCntable for all that, with his
fine, wcll-set up figure and well-cut fea-
lures. Therefore twas not to be wondered
at ,iiat he was looked upon by the ladies'
generally as fair game for them to set their
caps gt. For FIVE years did the gallant OFF,
Ger resist all their wiles and artitices and
go his jolly way rejoicing, laughing in his
sleeve at their discontinue. Then there
suddenly appeared upon the scene fair
widUW named Thomson. The MAJOR was
asked 10 come TO tea one evening by his
frlyud, Mrs atchuIn, for the express pur-
POS" z being introduced to the widow, and
the StiCr. though not much of Il hand at
ca driu'liC-a bowl of punch or bishop
be ~ more IN his line-aCccpted the invita-
tiu... IS hc admired airs. MatChum and was
curiouS 10 see the Widow TEoms SON. whom
re had already heard toasted. Alas, with
hat dish Of tea away went the Majors
free .om for good and all. He entered the
a.c with all The confidence imaginable,
is neart, as he thought. fully prepared
against any siege that might be laid to it in
the s..are of captivating looks and soft
speecLcs, such as are often employed with
consde ole success by lovely woman
when il pursuit OF her lawful quarry-man.
He left u defeated at all points, having
struck flag and given up his arms with
out So l.,,lch as the semblance of strug-
q, = "a .
it. ne fascinating Widow Thomson had
cf sted in five minutes what all the other
-, cs thercabouts had been endeavoring
% ''' for the last five years, and had fairly
'''rn he Majors heart at the very first at
te' ipt.
d was indeed a famous victory. Three
days afterwards the Major was observed 10
lca"a Mrs. Matchums house, and mount his
favorite mare, who was being led about
outside. looking, ii it were possible more
radiant and Jolly than ever He was un-
commonly smart, too, was the Major, his
Families wig was new, so was his coat
and as he rode gayly away he threw the
aston!shed beggar who had held his mare q
crown piece, Something was up with the
Major. What could it be! All Plumperton
was dying to know, and seeing that Plum
pcrton was just about the last place to keep
it t'.at it was not very long before Plum
per,on did know.
In half an hours time the murder was
out, and it was known all over the town that
Major George was engaged to be married
$40 the Widow Thomson of course,u ex
cl.. med Skinner, the lawyer, on being told
the news by the mayor, whom he met
casually in the High street
"Of course,n replied the mayor pomp-
ously, as much as TO say, ''who else could
it be- stupid head."
v must now go back TO whore we began.
join Major Brabazon as he rode slowly
across Hangman's Heath. The reins hung
loosely over the good bay mares neck, and
her rider, who apparently was not in his
usual spirits, seemed lost in revcrie
The Majors thoughts ran thus: have
been to the races on SmUSglebury Down
to-day, and lost my nioncy--a good deal
more than could afford, especially with
my wedding so handy; and promised the
future Mrs. Brabazon l would never bet
again, too--ha! l meant after was mar
ried, of course! l dropped good bit on
the cocktght yesterday, too. By Jove! l
shall have to raise the wind, pistol me if l
shan't-nakes me feel quite low, declare.
On the top Of that, too-as if losing ones
money wasn't bad enOugh--coming across
poor young Jack Wilder swinging in chains
hasn't made me feel more cheerful. Stupid
OF me not 10 have remembered their string
ing him up on the heath here. Poor fellow!
and remember him little chap in petit
coats. First happy young farmer; next
drink, low company, and gambling; then
"stand and deliverp' Poor boy, poor boy
such a good-loolsing chap as he was too!
Heaven forbid should ever come to '!the
road" If ever did, though, it would be
odd il you and did not show some Of them
clean pair of heels, eh, Cicely, my grill
Ard the Major, patting his favorite's neck,
seemed to cheer up all Of sudden a. the
. riare gave . friendly whinny in reply to her
nastsr's caress. tEl
"Hang The oiuesi" exclaimed the Major;
~ don't often get ,em, but I've got At OF
them now, that's certain. IT'S Q long wsy
home 70 Plumperton, and we've had hard
dap Of II What say you, my lady, to put
ting up = the Wheatshesf for the night.
ohp' e
AsA gathering up his rsins. Major George
, eet ~ nsss going. aaa ~ 10 agsia Dsil
III